Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and The Smile of the Child sign child protection pact

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and the organization ‘The Smile of the Child’ have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at advancing child protection and rights. The agreement, signed by AUTh Rector Kyriakos Anastasiadis and ‘The Smile of the Child’ Board Chairman Konstantinos Giannopoulos, seeks to bridge academic research with practical expertise in child welfare.

The partnership focuses on developing educational, research, and social initiatives. Key objectives include enhancing prevention, awareness, and the development of practical tools to ensure children's access to legal protection. Planned activities include the exchange of scientific knowledge, joint lectures, seminars, workshops, and summer schools. Additionally, the parties will design empowerment programs for children, adolescents, parents, and educators.

A significant component of the memorandum involves the AUTh School of Law. This collaboration will facilitate practical internships, clinical legal education, and research projects, integrating the organization's professional services with academic training to create scientifically documented protocols and guides for child protection.